Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Digital Vortex 2019
Digital Vortex 2019
VORTEX 2019
Continuous and Connected Change
Authors
Tomoko Yokoi
Jialu Shan
Michael Wade
James Macaulay
- There is a widespread belief that more than one-third of the top 10 incumbents in each industry
will be displaced by digital disruption in the next five years.
- The five industries most vulnerable to digital disruption remain unchanged since 2015, although
their relative positions have changed: Media & Entertainment, Technology Products & Services,
Telecommunications, Retail, and Financial Services.
- The Transportation & Logistics industry has experienced the largest jump in vulnerability to
digital disruption, moving from 11th to 7th place.
- While the number of companies claiming to have a digital strategy has jumped from 54% to 75%,
the majority acknowledge that it is fragmented; only 22% of survey respondents claim to have a
coordinated digital strategy.
- Just over one-third of respondents feel that their organization’s leadership is actively responding
to digital disruption.
- Most organizations have increased their efforts to actively respond to digital disruption, except
for very large multinational companies.
- A stark perception gap exists between senior leadership and lower-level managers regarding
digital transformation efforts – whereas 39% of C-level leaders believe they are actively
responding to digital disruption, this perception decreases significantly among mid-management
levels.
2019
88% 9% 3%
2017
75% 21% 4%
2015
27% 47% 26%
Major to transformative impact Moderate impact No to minor impact
In addition, digitally driven market change has cap- claim their leaders are actively responding to digital
tured the attention of C-level executives. In 2015, digi- disruption, a slight rise from 31% in 2017. Moreover,
tal disruption was not deemed worthy of board-level despite the fact that organizations will spend over
attention in about 45% of companies. By 2019, only $2 trillion on digital transformation by 2022,2 most
12.4% felt that way. respondents believe that their leaders are not re-
sponding appropriately (38%) or are taking a “follow-
Although the perceived urgency to transform has er” approach (28%) to digital disruption (see Figure 3).
never been greater, the ability of companies to re-
spond varies significantly. Only 34% of respondents
2019 34%
2017 31%
This should not come as a surprise. When it comes data suggests that digital transformation programs
to digital transformation, the gap between aspira- are floundering largely because they fail to take into
tion and reality is stark. Recent research suggests account the continuous and connected nature of
that a mere 5% of digital transformation efforts meet change.
or exceed expectations.3 What is going wrong? Our
Healthcare &
Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals
While corporate turnover serves as one barome- bulence. The recent and predicted displacement of
ter for industry change, the increasing emergence of incumbents serves as a reminder that companies
highly valued disruptive startups and intense merger cannot endure in the long term without reinventing
and acquisition activity will accelerate industry tur- themselves.
2019
ONSUMER PAC
#10 C KAG
ED
GO
#1
OD
ES
#1
4R
TI
#7 T
4E
ILI
EA
R AN
UT
NE
LE
SP
SM
&
RG
STA
RI
RGY
OR
Y&
UNICATIO
OMM
TE &
OU
TA
EC NS
E
TIO
UTIL
&T
EL
#13 EN
EN
A R M A C E U T I CA L S
IA & TE
CONST
RT
#4
N&
T
#6 HOSPITALITY
ED
#3
ITIES
R
AI
#1 M
ETAI
LOGISTICS
NM
RUCTION
ENT
L
#2
S
CE
& PH
T
#9 P
H
EC
VI
PR ER
O D U CT S & S
RE
ROF
CA
S
ES
#5 ICE
H
FI N A N CIA L S ERV
SI
LT
ON
ON
AL
EA
SE TI
CA
H
RV U
11
IC E #8 ED #
S
#1
2M
ANU
FACT
URI NG
2017
LS
CA MANUFACTURING
UTI #10
E
AC
M
#1
AR
4E
S #7
PH
OD E
NE
GO DU
&
#4 FIN
RG
ED
RE
A NC
CA
Y&
AG
IA
HCA
S
TIO
S TIC
CK
L
UTIL
AI
N
L
PA
T
IA & ENTER
SE
#13 HEAL
ED
ET
RV
ITIES
M
#3 R
TA
ICES
#1
INM
ENT
ES
VIC
#9 HO
SPOR
ES
#2
ER
TE S
VIC
CH &
P R O D U CT S
S PI
RAN
ER
ON
S
LS
TA
I
1T
AT
L
#5 T
NA
IC
IT
#1
EL ECOM MUN
Y
IO
TO S
ES
&
U F
RI
SM P RO
#8
#1
2R
EA
L ES
TATE
2017 #5
2019 #3 +2
Convergence in Telecommunications
The Telecommunications industry continues to face and new business models. Many telecommunica-
challenges, moving two places closer to the vortex tions providers are starting to experiment with new
center. Although the industry plays a crucial role in en- cross-industry service creation and delivery models.
abling the digital revolution by providing essential infra- For example, Orange, the largest telecom operator
structure, operators have struggled to launch and scale in France, acquired a 65% stake in French insurer
new business models to compete with new entrants Groupama’s banking unit in 2016 and launched a
with strong digital capabilities such as Apple, Google 100% mobile-only bank in 2017. Deutsche Telekom
and a variety of over-the-top (OTT) voice calling and collaborated with vertical industry partners to build
messaging providers such as WhatsApp and Skype. its Qivicom smart home platform as an open ecosys-
tem for living-service offerings.
Digital transformation is breaking down silos
within the Telecommunications industry, giving rise The deployment of fifth-generation wireless
to an integrated digital communications ecosystem. technology (5G) in the next two years is likely to un-
It is not yet clear how telecommunications operators leash a new wave of innovation and disruption fueled
can capture revenue opportunities “beyond the pipe” by advances in smart devices, augmented reality and
through the Internet of Things (IoT), digital services real-time monitoring.
DEFENSE OFFENSE
RETREAT OCCUPY
Withdraw when Win the battle
revenues dry up, for new markets
or move into a created by
well-protected disruption
niche
2019
ONSUMER PAC
#10 C KAG
ED
GO
#1
OD
ES
#1
4R
TI
#7 T
4E
ILI
EA
R AN
UT
NE
LE
SP
SM
&
RG
STA
RI
RGY
OR
Y&
UNICATIO
OMM
TE &
OU
TA
EC NS
E
TIO
UTIL
&T
L
#13 EN
E EN
A R M A C E U T I CA L S
IA & TE
CONST
RT
#4
N&
T
#6 HOSPITALITY
ED
#3
ITIES
R
AI
#1 M
ETAI
LOGISTICS
NM
RUCTION
ENT
L
#2
S
CE
& PH
T
#9 P
H
EC
VI
PR ER
O D U CT S & S
RE
R
OF
CA
S
ES
#5 ICE
H
FI N A N CIA L S ERV
SI
LT
ON
ON
AL
EA
I
SE AT
H
RV C
DU
11
IC E #8 E #
S
#1
2M
ANU
FACT
URI NG
2017 LS
CA MANUFACTURING
UTI #10
E
AC
M
#1
AR
4E
S #7
PH
OD E
NE
GO DU
&
#4 FIN
RG
ED
RE
A NC
CA
Y&
AG
IA
HCA
S
TIO
L
UTIL
AI
N
L
PA
T
IA & ENTER
SE
ED
ET
#6 CONSUMER
RV
ITIES
M
#3 R
TA
ICES
#1
INM
ENT
ES
VIC
#9 HO
SPOR
ES
#2
ER
TE S
VIC
CH &
P R O D U CT S
S PI
RAN
ER
ON
S
LS
TA
TI
1T
L
#5 T CA
NA
U NI
IT
#1
EL ECOM M
Y
IO
TO S
ES
&
U RI OF
SM R
# 8P
#1
2R
EA
L ES
TATE
2017 #9
2019 #6 +3
Customer focus in Hospitality & Tourism
The Hospitality & Tourism industry accounts for 10% of develop a strong focus on the customer, and innovate
employment worldwide and is a fast-growing industry ways to streamline the customer experience. As part
tied directly to the growth of consumption globally. New of its digital plan, flexible new internal working struc-
business models such as alternative accommodation tures were created to foster innovation, flexibility and
(Airbnb, HouseTrip and HotelTonight) are challenging speed. “Accor is in the middle of a revolution […],” ac-
the conventional hospitality approach and forcing in- knowledges Sébastien Bazin, the CEO. “For 50 years,
cumbents to look for innovative ways to increase reve- we have been doing things very well, but from now on-
nue, lower costs and raise customer loyalty. wards, we are going to do things differently.”10
AccorHotels is an example of an incumbent un- As the Hospitality & Tourism industry continues
dertaking an offensive strategy by launching Jo&Joe, a its trajectory towards the center of the Digital Vortex,
lifestyle brand blending the best of private rental, hos- building and deploying digital capabilities will be critical
tel and hotel formats. The concept grew out of an am- to its success.
bitious digital transformation strategy to revamp IT,
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
sm
es
ng
il
ns
es
s
es
en
al
ic
od
tie
tio
io
ta
ic
ic
io
ri
ic
st
tic
ri
at
nm
Re
Go
ili
uc
rv
rv
tu
at
rv
gi
u
uc
eu
Ut
To
Se
Se
ic
ac
tr
i
Lo
Se
ed
ta
Ed
un
ac
ns
uf
&
&
al
&
ag
&
al
te
Co
m
an
gy
y
ts
on
ck
n
nc
lit
En
ar
er
M
tio
uc
&
Pa
si
na
ita
co
Ph
En
&
od
ta
te
es
Fi
le
sp
er
ia
or
&
ta
Pr
of
Te
Ho
ed
um
Es
re
sp
Pr
gy
M
ca
an
ns
al
lo
th
Re
Tr
Co
no
al
ch
He
Te
Overall, despite the majority of executives’ confidence mation activities that could undermine an organiza-
in responding effectively to digital disruption, there tion’s ability to transform effectively.
are some blind spots surrounding current transfor-
Most organizations are pursuing digital initiatives Ibrahim Gokcen, former CDO of Danish industrial
across multiple areas at the same time. Unfortu- conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk described it this
nately, few of them are taking a portfolio approach way, “A lot of companies think they are doing digital
linked to clear business outcomes. Most digital ini- transformation, but they are actually only doing basic
tiatives are incremental in scope, linked to process digitization or digital ‘optimization’ without address-
improvements in specific departments and functions. ing fundamental problems.”11
Entangled structures
A major challenge that large incumbents face is that These challenges tend to increase with organi-
initiatives, processes and structures are highly inter- zational size, as do the risks of failure. While most
dependent, constantly moving and optimized for an respondents observe an increase in active response
earlier era. This complex entanglement often leads to to digital disruption, very large organizations – those
unintended consequences that can derail transforma- with over $10 billion in annual worldwide revenues –
tion programs. As one executive put it, “You wouldn’t observe a decline (see Figure 10).
think that making a simple change, pulling this lever
here, would make ten other things explode.”
40% 36%
34% 35% 2019
31% 2017
30% 28%
26%
20%
10%
0%
Small-Medium Large Multi National Corporation
$0-$500M $500M-$10BN $10BN+
FIGURE 11: LOWER LEVEL EXECUTIVES ARE LESS CONFIDENT THAN SENIOR EXECUTIVES
Proportion of executives claiming that their organizations are actively responding to digital disruption
39%
40% 37%
20%
10%
0%
CXO SVP/VP Director Manager
The Digital Vortex 2019 study also reveals a gap Few companies have succeeded in transforming
between aspiration and reality that could derail com- themselves to lead their industries in the digital age.
panies’ digital transformation efforts. But those that have done so understand that a suc-
cessful digital transformation is a continuous journey
focused on a connected approach to change.
REFERENCES
1
“Life in the Digital Vortex: The State of Digital Disruption in 2017.” 7
Loucks, Jeff, James Macaulay, Andy Noronha and Michael Wade. Digital
Global Center for Digital Business Transformation, 2017. Vortex: How Today’s Market Leaders Can Beat Disruptive Competitors at their
www.imd.org/research-knowledge/reports/digitalvortex/ Own Game. IMD International, 2016.
2
“Worldwide Semiannual Digital Transformation Spending Guide.” IDC, 8
Hausmann, Ludwig, Ishaan Nangia, Werner Rehm and Maximilian Rothkopf.
November 2018. Creating Value in Transportation and Logistics. McKinsey, November 2015.
www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-transport-and-logistics/our-insights/
3
Laurent-Pierre Baculard, Laurent Colombani, Virginie Flam, Ouriel Lancry, creating-value-in-transportation-and-logistics
and Elizabeth Spaulding, “Orchestrating a Successful Digital Transformation,”
Bain & Company, November 22, 2017, www.bain.com/insights/orchestrating- 9
“World’s Population Increasingly Urban with More Than Half Living in
a-successful-digital-transformation/ Urban Areas.” United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects, July 10, 2014.
www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/population/world-urbanization-
4
Anthony, Scott D., S. Patrick Viguerie, Evan I. Schwartz and John Van prospects-2014.html
Landeghem. “2018 Corporate Longevity Forecast: Creative Destruction Is
Accelerating. Innosight, February 2018. www.innosight.com/wp-content/ 10
Jelassi, Tawfik and Valerie Keller-Birrer. “In the Field with Accor Hotels.” IMD,
uploads/2017/11/Innosight-Corporate-Longevity-2018.pdf November 2017.
5
Global Center for Digital Business Transformation, Orchestrating Digital 11
Wade, Michael, James Macaulay, Andy Noronha and Joel Barbier.
Survey 2019 (unpublished research). Orchestrating Transformation: How to Deliver Winning Performance with a
Connected Approach to Change. Lausanne: IMD International, 2019
6
Feng, Venus. “World’s Most Valuable Startup Is Home to a Complex Fortune.”
Bloomberg, March 24, 2019. www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-24/ 12
Weill, Peter, Thomas Appel, Stephanie L. Woerner and Jennifer S. Banner,
the-complex-fortune-growing-inside-world-s-most-valuable-startup “It Pays to Have a Digitally Savvy Board.” MIT Sloan Management Review,
Spring 2019. https:sloanreview.mit.edu/article/it-pays-to-have-a-digitally-
savvy-board/
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Remy Assir
Nikolaus Obwegeser
Lindsay McTeague
Elizabeth Teracino
Andy Noronha
Joel Barbier
Learn more:
imd.org/dbtcenter
dbtcenter@imd.org
@DBT_Center
www.imd.org
@IMD_Bschool
www.cisco.com
@Cisco
© 2019 IMD International Institute for Management Development. All rights reserved.
16